Wednesday, 5 March 2014

The sudden change in
the weather this week from cold winds and rain to sunshine and warmth
has meant venturing out into the garden is becoming more of a
pleasure than a chore. Sitting in sunshine on the back step with a
cup of hot coffee and watching Spring take over the garden is always
a treat. From daffodils to clematis buds, roses and calendula,
everything is growing, including the grass. Early frosts and boggy
conditions have meant mowing is almost a forgotten chore but this
week, with morning frosts set to disappear by the weekend, I have no
excuse. Time to dig out the mower out and give it a check over.

lupin and clematis

Time also to open up
the tin of seeds and see what's in there for this year. I've found
stocks, candytuft, teasels, sweet peas, foxglove and antirrhinum
along with some sarracenia to try for the conservatory, lettuce,
basil and climbing beans. Outside, some of last year's perennials
have made it through, lupins, a few delphiniums and quite a lot of
the strawberries.

calendula and daffodils

From where I'm sitting
typing this, I can hear the garden birds, from collared doves and
wood pigeons, to blackbirds, robins and further out in the woods,
nuthatches and finches are all singing. Seems I'm not the only one
taking stock of Spring.